【双语灵修】神是朋友God, the Friend
“耶和华必然等候，要施恩给你们。必然兴起，好怜悯你们。” ― 赛 30:18
我时常想象，神坐在一个用罕见金属造的华丽宝座上，这宝座有无价的宝石作为装饰，座椅上铺满了最精致的布料。圣经中有些经文也是这样描绘神的。
然而，若我们稍为合上眼睛，安静心灵，并以不同的方式想象神，又会是怎样呢？假若神—仍然满有荣耀和雄伟，不是坐在代表皇室的华座上，而是坐在附近一座咖啡厅的角落卡位上，又或是坐在你家中的长椅上，急切地在等待你，那会是怎样呢？假若神因为见到你而非常兴奋，从长椅上跳起来拥抱你，就像一个渴望听听你的近况，知道你是否安好的朋友那样，又如何呢？假若满有神性、又满有人性的主，专注地聆听你向祂述说你的生活、你的故事、你的喜乐和你的挂虑时，又会怎样呢？假若 … 又如何呢？
今天你怎样看神呢？或许一个更贴切的问题，就是今天你需要怎样看神？神的荣美不单是因为祂是万有的君王，祂更是一位永远都在我们左右，专一关顾我们的朋友。
祷告
仁慈的神啊，感谢祢，因祢是万有的主宰，也是永远与我们同在的挚友。感谢祢在各方向我们施怜悯，求祢帮助我们今天也同样地看顾那些祢放在我们生命中的人。阿们。
以赛亚书 30:18-21
18耶和华必然等候，要施恩给你们，必然兴起，好怜悯你们，因为耶和华是公平的神。凡等候他的，都是有福的！
19百姓必在锡安，在耶路撒冷居住，你不再哭泣。主必因你哀求的声音施恩给你，他听见的时候，就必应允你。
20主虽然以艰难给你当饼，以困苦给你当水，你的教师却不再隐藏，你眼必看见你的教师。
21你或向左或向右，你必听见后边有声音说：“这是正路，要行在其间。”
God, the Friend
"The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion." - Isaiah 30:18
I often picture God sitting on an ornate throne made of rare metals, adorned with priceless jewels, and upholstered in the finest fabric. Some Bible passages portray God in a similar way.
But, what if, for a moment, we close our eyes, quiet our souls, and imagine God differently? What if God—still in all his glory and splendor—isn't sitting in lavishness associated with royalty but instead is sitting at the corner booth in a local coffee shop, or on the couch in your family room, eagerly waiting for you? What if God, who is so excited to see you, leaps from his seated position and embraces you like a friend who longs to hear how you are doing and what you have been up to? What if God, in both his divine and human nature, gives you his undivided attention as you share with him your life, your story, your joys, and your concerns? What if…?
How do you see God today? Or, maybe a better question: How do you need to see God today? The beauty of God is that he is not only the King of all creation but also the attentive friend who is always near.
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for being the ruler of all things and the dear friend who is always present with us. Thank you for the ways you show your compassion, and help us today to share that same care with the people you place on our path. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳